How To Take A Punch 👊 

Hi Sal - yeah, it's a cool thing to play around with, and what was interestering was seeing even thre more "petite' practioners managing to make this work for them.

I painfully agree

Thanks for your response

Interesting! it exists in wing chun too, and i've seen a cupped hand slap to the solar plexus used by corrections officers

@@AIKIDOSILVERDALE Correct. I think he came by it naturally. But he is VERY Wing Chun in approach. Our punches are relaxed and "condense" AFTER sensing and contact [hollow point is a good expression, in my view... they "explode" outward and through]. There IS a gap and a triggering "snap" of the fist. If hitting a "wall bag" it should "bounce". We must send "through", not "too". They are FAR more powerful and don't feed back. That said, stay relaxed, don't "push" from shoulders. Shoulders are "slings", not levers. Keep them seated. Trigger with tendons of wrists and fingers [loose for speed and accuracy] then condense upon contact. When you feel the contact, send a quick nail gun "fire" of elbow energy [most powerful when elbows are facing downward in immovable elbow position]. Then the rest of the body [if the stance is correct] can "connect". If done right, even gently, there is a spot of fear in the eyes. The energy is absorbed and they will tend to "puff" or release in a sudden exhale. I love his idea and exercise of conditioning the body to strikes. I got stuck in Chi Sao mode and people are too unbalanced once touched to "absorb" what is happening. I need to try this. I used to try many methods, pool noodles even. Never got this effective in communicating. People tend to get very scared when touched, even in heavy pads. Contact is not necessarily bad. The more "relaxed" we can be in the moment, the more fluid our response and the less energy can "feed back" into our bodies. Also, his repeated punch method subtly teaches the important of arm/elbow angle in contact. The solar plexus is probably the safest contact point in that regard of the hollow point punch. I don't like hitting the chest by the heart as a general rule. The shoulders can be ok [where he aims, not clavicles]. Palm strikes and some of these stranger techniques can actually damage organs. If you condition the hands, even finger strikes are incredibly effective. I've just tapped people and left bruises and rug burns as they hit the ground unconscious. NOT intentional, had a few incidents of surprise attacks, but I felt I barely touched them. Long story. Had a tough life like many longtime martial artists. I guess I'd argue we need to be careful. Aikido is one of the most beautiful but DAMAGING arts. Yet people incorrectly think otherwise. True practitioners respect the art and use care because the human body is frailer than we'd like to admit. Please thank the training partner [uke] as well. Respect his dedication to his Aikido brothers. Great stuff.

@@hiddenpathwingchun5045 I have a modified Wing Chun background as well as Iwama aikido, and talking to johhn I don't think he's ever done any kung fu style - def karate and boxing but most of his classes come from a POV of decades of practical experience - I always find it fascinating when this happens, a traditonal arts teachings reveal themselves to a non practitioner, through trial and error, it reinforces not only the practitioners buit the ideology and mewchanics of the pricniple involved! great comment btw TY

​@@AIKIDOSILVERDALE I agree as well. Principles should trump techniques. His principles appear solid and interesting as he obviously came by them naturally. No man should fight the same; each is unique. I think as teachers we are more "archaeologists" than "creators". The goal is to dig deep, clean off, and reveal the potential of the student within. It should not be about "us". Though a Wooden Dummy [once lines are understood] can unlock so many different angles and strike. It truly is an amazing tool. Great channel. Been a fan for a long time. I always loved Aikido. It matches up well with Wing Chun entries. I'm 3rd generation closed-door Ip Man. It's frustrating to see so much lack of understanding in application of Aikido and Wing Chun & Tai Chi as well. Aikido footwork alone can destroy an opponent. Maybe 5 years ago, I was at a friend's house [Muay Thai martial artist]. This big 25 year old, maybe six five or six came in with sycophants. He was a "Gracie jujitsu blackbelt and MMA fighter" per all the "fanboys". He held court on this small back porch and started talking nonsense about other arts. He said: "Aikido doesn't work." Now, I'm primarily Wing Chun, but was taught Aikido, Bushido, Judo and other arts by my Sifu. Though I was outweighed by maybe 80 or 100 pounds and was much older I replied: "Oh, Aikido doesn't work? Is that what you say? Ok. Put your hands on my shoulders. I will NOT strike or hurt you. You have three chances to put me down." I dumped him on his head three times just by using Aikido circular footwork [and I want to train in Japan and actually be somewhat "good" in Aikido]. However, I UNDERSTAND energy and line. He was upset and claimed I "cheated". But after a time he agreed and asked questions. However, you likely know how this nonsense goes. Afterward they'll just claim you're "too fast" or "too strong" and it's not about principles and deeper elements. Sometimes the "natural" guys like your teacher [John] here are the ones who pull away the B.S. and artifice to reveal the TRUE nature of the art. As for me, I miss the bruises by a proper training session! Keep up the great work!

carefully... :)

Tony's knee was playing up a bit too i think which didnt help, and this was day four so everyohne was already tired, sore and stif :)

@@AIKIDOSILVERDALE Fair enough. ☺

Unfortunately no, but if you search our channel for 'bouncer" you nshould be able to see the other videos he's done with us - i'll create a playlist too!

@@AIKIDOSILVERDALE it’s so interesting and amazing if you see someone putting several techniques from different martial arts together

@@knw-seeker6836 thats what we are trying to encourage here on the channel. appreciate your feedback

here's the link to his playliste ru-vid.com/group/PLA520V4pOPWLQS7YzBdBBGGgNOktCeVwd